Car statistics
BMW Z3 statistics
How many BMW Z3s are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 11,195 DVSA MOT tests.
- Licensed in Great Britain 6,563 −6.0% on a year earlier
- Declared SORN 8,788 Off the road, not taxed
- MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 70.3% Cars of the same ages 61.0%
- Rank by number licensed No. 394 of 1,159 models we cover
- Peak year 2003 21,616 licensed
- Average annual mileage 1,493 miles a year
How many BMW Z3s are left in Great Britain?
There were 6,563 BMW Z3s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 8,788 declared off the road (SORN). That is 69.6% fewer than the peak of 21,616 in 2003.
BMW Z3s licensed in Great Britain
Numbers peaked in 2003 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1997 | 4,372 |
| 1998 | 9,044 |
| 1999 | 14,046 |
| 2000 | 17,241 |
| 2001 | 20,111 |
| 2002 | 21,590 |
| 2003 | 21,616 |
| 2004 | 21,380 |
| 2005 | 21,137 |
| 2006 | 20,838 |
| 2007 | 20,556 |
| 2008 | 19,923 |
| 2009 | 19,549 |
| 2010 | 18,675 |
| 2011 | 17,733 |
| 2012 | 17,075 |
| 2013 | 16,146 |
| 2014 | 15,440 |
| 2015 | 14,564 |
| 2016 | 13,775 |
| 2017 | 12,633 |
| 2018 | 11,779 |
| 2019 | 10,646 |
| 2020 | 9,660 |
| 2021 | 9,220 |
| 2022 | 8,563 |
| 2023 | 7,655 |
| 2024 | 6,989 |
| 2025 | 6,579 |
| 2026 | 6,563 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Fuel type
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
BMW Z3 MOT reliability
In 2025, 70.3% of BMW Z3 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the BMW Z3s tested pass 61.0% of the time, so the BMW Z3 does better than average for its age, by 9.3 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 68.8%.
MOT first-time pass rate by age: BMW Z3 vs all cars
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | BMW Z3 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 20+ years | 70.3% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
BMW Z3 MOT failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a BMW Z3 fails its MOT, appearing on 39.5% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 5.0% of BMW Z3 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
Most common MOT failure categories
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 39.5% |
| Brakes | 32.5% |
| Suspension | 30.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 25.3% |
| Visibility | 21.1% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 12.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.0% |
| Tyres | 10.3% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common BMW Z3 MOT defects and advisories
The single most common reason a BMW Z3 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Position lamp: not working”, on 11.6% of 3,323 failed tests. 57.6% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Most common reasons for failure
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.6% |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 10.5% |
| Catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.9% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 7.8% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 7.6% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 7.0% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded Brakes | 6.8% |
| Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault Brakes | 6.8% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 6.8% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 6.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common advisories
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 18.4% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.3% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 9.4% |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 9.4% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 8.9% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 5.7% |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 5.6% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 5.3% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint has slight play Suspension | 4.9% |
| Shock absorbers: light misting of oil Suspension | 4.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
BMW Z3 by year
6 years of the BMW Z3, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2002 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (73.6% passed first time) and the 1997 cars worst (66.6%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | – | 2,530 | 66.6% |
| 1998 | – | 3,003 | 70.0% |
| 1999 | – | 3,308 | 70.2% |
| 2000 | – | 2,271 | 70.2% |
| 2001 | – | 2,246 | 71.7% |
| 2002 | – | 1,258 | 73.6% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
BMW Z3 annual mileage
The average BMW Z3 covers 1,493 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
Average annual mileage by age
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 20+ years | 1,493 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
BMW Z3 registrations over time
Registrations of BMW Z3s for the first time in Great Britain were highest at 3,238 in 2001, when this data begins. In 2025, 7 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
Registered for the first time, by year
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 3,238 |
| ’02 | 1,784 |
| ’03 | 191 |
| ’04 | 45 |
| ’05 | 34 |
| ’06 | 28 |
| ’07 | 32 |
| ’08 | 32 |
| ’09 | 31 |
| ’10 | 20 |
| ’11 | 16 |
| ’12 | 10 |
| ’13 | 8 |
| ’14 | 6 |
| ’15 | 20 |
| ’16 | 38 |
| ’17 | 32 |
| ’18 | 41 |
| ’19 | 38 |
| ’20 | 15 |
| ’21 | 26 |
| ’22 | 26 |
| ’23 | 11 |
| ’24 | 14 |
| ’25 | 7 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
BMW Z3 engine sizes and fuel types
Of the 6,700 BMW Z3s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 43.7% have an engine of 1,801cc to 1,900cc, and 21.1% have an engine of 2,701cc to 2,800cc. The share with an engine of 1,801cc to 1,900cc has fallen from 49.9% in 2014 to 43.7%.
Engine sizes, end of 2025
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,801cc to 1,900cc 2,930 licensed | 43.7% |
| 2,701cc to 2,800cc 1,417 licensed | 21.1% |
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 882 licensed | 13.2% |
| 2,101cc to 2,200cc 813 licensed | 12.1% |
| 2,901cc to 3,000cc 385 licensed | 5.7% |
| Other sizes 273 licensed | 4.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,801–1,900cc | Petrol | 2,930 | 43.7% |
| 2,701–2,800cc | Petrol | 1,415 | 21.1% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 881 | 13.1% |
| 2,101–2,200cc | Petrol | 813 | 12.1% |
| 2,901–3,000cc | Petrol | 385 | 5.7% |
| 3,001–3,100cc | Petrol | 73 | 1.1% |
| 2,201–2,300cc | Petrol | 67 | 1.0% |
| 2,801–2,900cc | Petrol | 67 | 1.0% |
Engine sizes, 2014 to 2025
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,801–1,900cc | 2,701–2,800cc | 1,901–2,000cc | 2,101–2,200cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 49.9% | 19.7% | 12.5% | 10.2% |
| 2015 | 49.6% | 19.5% | 12.6% | 10.5% |
| 2016 | 49.3% | 19.6% | 12.6% | 10.4% |
| 2017 | 48.7% | 19.7% | 12.7% | 10.7% |
| 2018 | 48.3% | 20.1% | 12.8% | 10.8% |
| 2019 | 47.4% | 20.1% | 13.0% | 11.2% |
| 2020 | 47.5% | 19.9% | 12.9% | 11.3% |
| 2021 | 46.7% | 20.3% | 12.8% | 11.5% |
| 2022 | 46.2% | 20.4% | 13.0% | 11.7% |
| 2023 | 45.4% | 20.4% | 12.8% | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 44.7% | 20.9% | 12.8% | 12.3% |
| 2025 | 43.7% | 21.1% | 13.2% | 12.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
BMW Z3 safety recalls
We found no recalls for the BMW Z3 in DVSA’s records since 1992. That does not mean none apply: DVSA sometimes records a recall under a range or chassis name we cannot match to a model. Check a specific car on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check.
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every BMW Z3. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Compare the BMW Z3 with other BMW models
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW Z3 | 6,563 | −6.0% | 8,788 | 394 | Petrol |
| BMW 3 Series | 448,681 | −5.0% | 114,735 | 10 | Diesel |
| BMW 1 Series | 392,139 | −0.5% | 23,619 | 15 | Diesel |
| BMW 5 Series | 187,690 | −4.8% | 39,140 | 43 | Diesel |
| BMW 2 Series | 143,101 | +5.3% | 1,616 | 62 | Petrol |
Data sources and methodology
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 15,351 Z3 records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 11,195 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
- Figures cover Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland is not included.
- Licensed counts are vehicles with a current tax or exemption at the end of each year (or the latest quarter). SORN counts are shown separately.
- First registrations count vehicles registered in Great Britain for the first time, including used imports.
- Models are grouped by DVLA’s generic model name, so every generation and trim counts together.
- MOT figures cover normal tests of cars aged three and over in 2025; retests are excluded. Age is rounded to the nearest year.
- DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.